Curtly Mejias, prime minister of the Academy parliament, was one of 10 Islington students who visited Washington last week as winners of the Black History Month essay competition. All the winners were rewarded with a trip to the White House, where they met First Lady Michelle Obama.

Curtly is seen above reading from his essay to Michelle Obama. Read Curtly’s essay for yourself here.

Speaking to the students in the Old Family Dining Room of the White House, Michelle Obama told the students: “The important thing is to know that you can do anything. We’re living in a wonderful time where, you know, if you work hard and you develop important supports and resources – and it can be anyone – it may not be in your family, but it could be a teacher, it could be a pastor, it could be a neighbor – that the opportunities are endless.”

Read about the students’ visit here…

> The White House blog
> The Guardian
> Sky News report
> London Evening Standard
> ITV London Tonight
> Islington Gazette

Photo: Lawrence Jackson / The White House